History as dedicated subject in HS pushed
A party-list solon challenged the incoming Department of Education Secretary to restore Philippine History as a dedicated subject in the high school curriculum.
Presumptive vice president Sara Duterte will be leading the DEPED once the new administration begins its term on the noon of June 31.
Act Teachers Representative France Castro said pending before Congress is House Bill 8621 mandating the inclusion of Philippine History as a subject in the high school curriculum.
This bill has been tackled in the committee on Basic Education and Culture gaining support from fellow lawmakers as many agreed that there is a need to bring back a dedicated subject tackling the history of our country from the local histories of provinces up to the history of our nation and how they affect our lives today, Castro said.
“We challenge the incoming Department of Education Secretary and the next administration to ensure the inclusion of Philippine History as a subject in the high school curriculum .
“As part of the so-called ‘educational reforms’ under K to 12, the Department of Education through DEPED Order 20 removed Philippine History from the curriculum of high school students.
“ In effect, discussions of events in Philippine history are only integrated in several subjects instead of an independent subject focused on teaching the narration of facts and ensuring that the students understand the implications of these events in our daily lives today.
“The next secretary of the Education department should be able to discern the importance of these subjects especially during these times of a major education crisis felt across the country.
Removing these subjects have played a major role in the downfall of the quality of education our youth receive today. We challenge the next secretary of education to ensure the return of Philippine History in the high school curriculum,” Castro said. By Jester Manalastas
